Search the Community

I just made Burbon chicken. It is wonderful. I wanted to try this receipe however it was carb loaded for my taste. So I subsituted the brown sugar with splenda brown sugar and omited the apple juice. Not sure how much the carbs were lowered. By using the receipe the way it is the carb count is 23.4 grams. So I figured what the hay, and give it a shot. Also I used the low sodium soy sauce. (no rice or noodles. I did use green pepper, mushrooms, celery, onion and broccoli. Once sauce is ready place the veges in and simmer for 5-8 minutes. Then add chicken and simmer another 10-15 minutes) Enjoy!!! Deb 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 1 -2 tablespoon olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed 1/4 teaspoon ginger 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup apple juice 1/3 cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 cup Water 1/3 cup soy sauce 1 Heat oil in a large skillet. 2 Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. 3 Remove chicken. 4 Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium Heat until well mixed and dissolved. 5 Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. 6 Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes

My goal is 10 thousand steps a day. When I first bought the fit bit, I was clipping it to the center of my bra. I live in the tropics, the moisture from sweat, caused it to not work- I think. Since then, I attach it to the pocket on my pants, shoe etc.. No problems since I changed location. I consistently wore it faithfully everyday, what a motivator! When it broke, I got out of the habit, but since you reminded me, I will have to locate it and get back on track! The best way for me to make sure to get all my steps in, is walking the dogs, or pushing the stroller! Have fun!

Juniper...I am also scheduled for next wednesday 7/1... Will you please come clean my house when you finish with yours :thumbup:????? I feel ready and terrified and full of doubt at the same time. Like you I've lost over 20 lbs since approval in late April. I sampled Protein supplements, Vitamins and calciums during that time and am receiving my orders this week for those that I liked. I found some 15 gram protein hot chocolates and cappucinos that I think are going to be my morning staples. I hope my tastes don't change after surgery! My pre-op agenda includes a manicure/pedicure and a visit to my favorite massage therapist. I guess I'll have to find time for Wal-mart, laundry and housekeeping somewhere. I've been on the pre-op diet since 6/19. My doc requires Clear liquids the day before, but I'm thinking I might go liquids only 2 day before and clear the day before. I've already made it a habit to sip all day on Water with some fruit flavored protein supplement. Best wishes!

Me too! 7 lbs in 9 days. Hoping to get to 10 on Monday! Liquid Diet Super Powers! I am scheduled for surgery on Thursday!

Has anyone's DR given them a weight loss goal (like 10 pounds) before surgery or they wouldn't do the surgery? Mine said 10 but tomorrow is my weigh in and I think I will be at 9?

I am just 2 days before you!!! April 10!

I asked my doctor the same question. After I told him I drove anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour each day for my job, he told me not to do it for at least 7 to 10 days after surgery. This is definitely a question you'll want to ask your doctor.

Hi all, My first time using this app. Need to lose 10-12 lbs ASAP. Any advise? Also taking suggestions/recommendations on which Protein shakes are the best. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey so I'm new here. I have a question about insurance coverage. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. I'm 19 years old, 5'9'' and 340 pounds. Pretty healthy. My BMI obviously higher than 40. Can anyone tell me what they think my chances are of getting the lapband covered by my insurance? Thanks!

After procrastinating for 6 weeks, I've finally established a routine that I think I can stick with. The coach at my school told me I should see results with it. I hope he knows what he's talking about. I use the weight machines in the school gym for 15 minutes during my free period. I hope to get up to 30, but I'm nowhere near strong enough yet. At home, I ride my recumbent bike for 20-30 minutes After that, I do a short kettlebell workout for 5-10 minutes.

Right end of day reached, here we go... Weight 184 Calories today :425 Carbs today: 15.8g Protein today: 47g Liquids: Approx 3 pints. Excercise: 10 mins brisk wlaking (-53 Cals) 30mins/17k hard cycling (-436 Cals) Basal metabolic rate = 1617 cals Total for the day = Minus 1681 calories Please, please please God grant me a good loss in the morning!:pray2: :amen:

ahhh so excited I finally hit ONDERLAND today after not seein it for 10 years. I weighed in this morning at 199.3! SEE YA LATER 200s!!!!!

I absolutely cant eat raw broccoli, and no chicken breast , but chicken thighs are fine. Same with pork chps, theyre too thick, but pork loin is fine. Also , no deli general tsos chicken , its too thick. Other than that I just have to eat 3 bites of potatoes or bread and then I get heartburn and stop, but im surprised at how little I miss those foods. Down 63 lb with 20 or so to go. Cant wait, getting there slowly and healthy , today I wore size 10 skinny jeans ,, not the old lady size 18s I used to wear , who cares about what little I cant eat . Not me ,,, wheeee ,,,

Ask your surgeon if he/she has a requirement for your Hgb A1c. I always have had a problem with high fasting blood sugars. Even back to when I only had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies that resolved after delivery. No matter how I adjusted my evening insulin that I took before dinner, it would be 170-180 or so in the morning, yet I would often have dramatic lows during the night. I started a low carb, high Protein diet (like Adkins or South Beach) the day I saw my surgeon for my first consult. My sugars were a bit better, but not by much, & probably more because I lost about 20 pounds in the first 6 weeks on that diet. Two months later I was so frustrated I went online & did a lot of research about the onset & peak timings of regular & NPH insulins. I had learned that in nursing school, but that was so many years ago & I didn't work with adults with diabetes to keep my knowledge fresh. I've never liked "micro-managing" my insulin but I had to do something. Because I am a nurse my PCP has always allowed me to manage my insulin with certain guidelines & I did check with his office about the changes I made. I started with checking my blood sugar 4-5 times a day & taking my NPH insulin 3 times a day, rather than twice - in the morning before Breakfast, at bedtime & halfway in between in the mid-afternoon - dividing the day total into 3. Then took regular insulin before each meal & snack. I was able to reduce the total insulin dramatically within a few days as my sugars were so much better. I used to take 20 units of regular before breakfast & before dinner & 35 of NPH before breakfast & 40 of NPH before dinner. Two months later, just before surgery, I was down to 20 units of NPH morning & mid-afternoon & 10 units before bed. I was taking 5-10 units of regular before eating, depending on my blood sugars. In the hospital my Hgb A1c was down to 5.9 from 7.3 that it was 3 months earlier.

I am 10 weeks post op. I never lost my hunger but this last few days the hunger pains have been really intense. So much so that before a meal my stomach hurts because of hunger, a bad pain not just rumbling. Then the hunger returns less than an hour after eating. I don't drink with meals and I eat my protein. I tried taking tums to help and it helped a little but it's still there. I'm getting 700/900 cal and exercising daily. Does anyone have any suggestions? Yesterday I felt persistently hungry all day even though I ate 1000 cal.

Don't get frustrated. I was in a stall from 2-10 weeks post-op. The scale finally moved again this week. I have the opposite problem...I dropped 3 sizes but now I'm inbetween 2 sizes (and have been for about a week or so). Today I have on baggy pants that I had to use a belt (to camoflauge how baggy they are) and roll and tuck the waist. Let's just say...not at all sexy if my shirt flies up. Which of course will happen because I ride public transit to work and if I really don't want something to happen, it will. I just gave 3 large trashbags of clothes to my family and donation. I have another bag I packed up 2 nights ago. All my clothes I just wanted to lose into are now too big. I thought I would enjoy this part, but not so much when it means you have to spend even MORE money just to look presentable. But, again, I'm in an inbetween size so I can't even go grab a few cheap things until I lose more inches/weight. I've decided I will continue to roll and tuck what clothes I do have left and make the most of it. I'm really looking forward to cooler days so I can at least hide under a jacket. Here's to hoping we both lose into the next size or 2 down.

I really appreciate the insights that you have both offered me into the program at Magee. It's funny, I was in the exploratory pre-op phase for about a year and always saw Kelly in the office. Then post-op I've had Rachel. I haven't seen Dr. McClosky since surgery on 2/29. I've lost 35 pounds and I feel great, but I'm still very frustrated. So here's my question for you Magee folks for today.... In about 10 days I'll be leaving for a 10 day trip to Cambodia with some other Asia stops along the way. My kids were born there and we've gone back a couple of times now. During my last visit Rachel said that I would need to come and have my band emptied before flying that far and going to a location without easy access to healthcare. But, I only have 1.5 cc in my 10 cc band right now. I have NO restriction. She also said that when I get back I'd need to start over again at 1 cc and slowly build back up (build back up?? I'm nowhere...) So I'm scheduled next Tuesday to have my band emptied and I'm thinking of just cancelling. I know this will probably make them mad, but is it my decision? Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks so much... Lisa D Pittsburgh, PA Magee patient

Never thought it was going to be so hard to eat slow. Was cleared for puréed/mushy as tolerated and on my list was Cheerios made soggy in milk... First couple bites were slow and I chewed, and they were small bites, but then habit set in and I shoveled THREE bites into my mouth at one!!!!! I caught myself before I swallowed and I swallowed in 3 smaller portions but man I felt like I was in 6th grade and about to miss the bus!!!!! SW: 324 DOSW: 322 CW: 309 surgery date-7/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

.

And I had supper at my parents tonight (fish, mashed potatoes and green beans) and I never realized how FAST PEOPLE EAT! My brother, his girlfriend, my mom and my dad were DONE with platefuls of food within 15 min. Done cleared and dishes done. I had eaten 3 bites by that time and looked up to see I was alone!!!! I pointed it out and my mom was like "wow you never realize that when your the one doing it!!" SW: 324 DOSW: 322 CW: 309 surgery date-7/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

Suzette - I think I read about your situation. =) It is because of that that I have already gone to my gym. They photocopied the card they kept records on (about 4 weigh ins in 4 months) from last year. It has their letterhead on it and I have the receptionist sign it. Do you think I should do more...like from the manager? According to Aetna we only need 2 yrs history...so I am gathering '10, '09, '08. (I only have 1 appt for '08). Thanks for the encouragement. =)

Michelle - What if you did not go into the doc in '09? For '08 I have my gyn appt, nothing for '09 (was thinking of taking my gym record taken by the trainer there monthly for 3-4 months and maybe a picture or two from that time). I have plenty for '10. Do you think this is sufficient?? don't mean to take over the thread but it relates. =)

The good news is I think I'm getting back to a normal cycle. My last period started on July 15, and this one started today, August 19. Over the last year my cycles have ranged from 55-90 days (except for the 2 months after a myomectomy where I had two 34 day cycles in a row). Now for the not so good news. Since I was 11, I've always had really horrible cramps leading up to my periods. I have found a combination of otc pain relievers (sometimes prescribed stuff depending on my doc) to use throughout the days leading up to my periods and the beginnings. Since I am just 2 weeks out of surgery, I decided I would not take anything and see how it went. Well the last two days have not gone well at all. I usually also have really runny bowel movements during this time. Since going on mushy foods I have only been having a bowel movement every other day, so maybe I just had a lot built up, but yesterday as I was driving to meet friends, my stomach cramped so bad I was actually screaming in the car. I drove to one of their houses and ran straight into her bathroom. As I was going, I felt so chilled and began to perspire horribly on my face and arms. When I was through I sat on her couch with a heating pad and started to feel better. After about 30 minutes the cramps had subsided. Now similar things have happened to me in the past, but I think pain relievers have helped me from feeling all of this at once. I usually try and stay in front of the pain. The temperature change and sweating usually cannot be controlled, but happen so rarely. As for the other symptoms, on Monday I began to realize I was really getting annoyed by many people (that's how I guessed I was getting back to a normal cycle). I mean really annoyed and that's just not like me, I teach middle school! I'm doing pretty well not responding or being rude, but inside I feel just constantly annoyed by most people I come in contact. Intellectually I know they are not doing anything deliberate, but I just can't seem to help my feelings. All of these things have helped remind me what an emotional eater I was. With yesterday's pain, in the past I would have "rewarded" myself with some fattening, greasy, salty food for "making it through." But because of the sleeve and all I've worked towards, that thought didn't even cross my mind until I reflected this morning. Again, in the past I would have "treated" myself to some sweet treat to help my feelings of annoyance with others, but I have no interest now. I guess I just feel grateful for having this tool. Not only is it helping me get physically healthier (and more regular:-), it is also helping me slow down and take a good hard look at the causes of my emotional eating.

I'm not sure if I'm still stalling with my weight because I have not weighed myself in two days. I will say that if I am, my weight must be shifting because I wore a skirt today that I couldn't zip at the beginning of my stall. I'm still learning how to eat in different situations. Yesterday I went to brunch and had scrambled eggs with cheese. It didn't go down very well, felt kind of stuck, but I kept taking bites and tried to chew better. I only ate about 4 bites but I felt overly stuffed for a couple of hours. I got the hiccups sort of (this has been happening when I eat too much), but felt better later in the day after I took a walk. Today I sort of returned to work. I am a teacher, but will not start this year until mid October because I am taking over for another teacher who will leave and not return once she has her baby. I'm going back to my old job and school, so I went in today for their first work day back. It was great to see everyone and I got a couple of compliments. There is another teacher whose mother passed away yesterday so I will be going in this week to set up her classroom and do what I can for her. Well, not much else happening right now. I'm just glad that I'm finding other things to focus on besides the scale. I was almost about to get depressed over the stall and then I remembered some fitness goals I wanted to accomplish and decided to start on those. I signed up for a two hour per week tap and jazz class that begins Sept. 10. I'm hoping my surgeon will release me for full exercise when I see him this week so I can start back to Jazzercise (haven't been in well over a year), it's been four weeks and I think I'm ready as long as I don't push myself too hard.

Just wanted to send along an update. The first pic I am at my pre surgery weight of 320 lbs this fall. Had my sleeve done 10/08/2012. The last two pics are from this week, 10 weeks post op. I am currently at 252 lbs. I hope to be at goal around 180 lbs. - 68 lbs... half way there! Appreciate all the real support here. So glad to be on this journey with you. My knees and back don't hurt anymore as they used to. I enjoy working out and being active. Already more comfortable sitting on those questionable chairs . It's Christmas Eve and I already feel like this surgery was the best present ever. Can wait to loose more an get to goal. Can't completely imagine what if will be like then. Hope it's awesome! Peace and a Happy New Year!